Today’s opening of the Mandurah Trades Skills Centre at Coodanup Community College is a step toward growing employment opportunities in the Peel region.

Under the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program, the federal government has contributed $3,285,000 to help transition local students from school into the workforce and on to careers.

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie welcomed the Training Centre, speaking of Mandurah’s need to equip students with high quality vocational skills.

“It is great to be here and to see the federal government’s vision for vocational training become a reality in Coodanup,” Mr Hastie said.

“We’re going through a time of technological change. That means much of our economy will be digitalised and service based, but we still need to train our youth for the nuts and bolts practical jobs that won’t disappear. 

“The Centre will equip students with the real world skills they need to get a job in our transitioning economy,” said the Member for Canning.

Mr Hastie welcomed the Centre’s inclusion of painting and construction workshops.

“There are communities right across Australia that are facing skill shortages in trades like painting, plumbing and carpentry.

“So the skills that students will develop at the Mandurah Trades Skills Centre will not only benefit Coodanup, they will be skills that could potentially put them on a pathway for jobs in industries anywhere in Australia.

“I congratulate the entire school community for its foresight in getting this centre up and running,” he said.

The Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, the Hon Karen Andrews MP, also congratulated Mandurah Trades Skills Centre on its official opening.

“Training centres like this give local students options to pursue vocational pathways and develop skills across a range of fields,” Minister Andrews said.

“There are many cities, communities and regions throughout Australia facing skills shortages in trades like construction, and plumbing and gas fitting. Many of these skills will be in need locally and across Australia.

“Since 2008 the Government has invested around $1.4 billion towards 1289 projects that are supporting secondary schools,” Minister Andrews said.

“The Australian Government is committed to improving the quality of our schools and equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.”